F1 2018

Pole position, fastest lap, and the win.

Quite how Codemasters has managed to top last year's incredible effort is quite beyond me, but F1 2018 manages to eclipse F1 2017, delivering an even more definitive and just as essential Formula One game that fans will 'lap' up. Get it bought.

I’m not an F1 aficionado, but I appreciate the sheer effort by the drivers and race teams to be the best on and off the track. That passion comes through in a relatable way in F1 2018, a title that constantly pushes you to excel while also giving you the tools to reach victory.

The lifeblood of sports is the dawn of a new season. New players arrive on the scene. Rising stars are eager to resume their upward trajectory. The elite stand ready to reassert their dominance and take on all challenges – old and new. Yet at season opening, hope springs eternal. It’s the only time everyone stands equal and maybe some new off-season tech will propel the lower level drivers to new heights.

F1 2018 is by far the best F1 racing sim that has ever been made. It has the graphics, career mode, and blissful racing to make anyone go ga-ga. It is also no better than the F1 2017 from last year in virtually every way.

F1 2013 has excellent gameplay, but some minor frustrations and a barebones Classics mode hold the game back from classic status.

“F1 2018 easily ranks among the best, and more realistic, racing sims we’ve played.”

Formula One can be a tough sport to keep up with if you’re not someone who pays attention to each Practice session, Qualifying, and everything in between. Driver changes, new teams and tracks, and rule changes can have a huge impact on how a season plays out and Codemasters has been trying to realize that in an annual release since 2009. The first few years were a struggle, but since 2015’s disappointing entry, the series has been going from strength to strength, and F1 2018 is another big step forward.

There is a bigger thorn in F1 2018’s side and that is that is age. Still running on the EGO game engine, albeit in a heavily reworked and upgraded state, no matter how many interesting and new details are added to the game, elements are now beginning to feel dated once more. When other racing games provide ultra-accurate representations of tracks, F1 2018 is at times behind the pace. Spa is an excellent example, with some of the corners not being smooth curves, odd bump placings and dull trackside detail. Track surfaces on certain circuits aren’t up to snuff when compared to contemporary rival...

Faithful to its license and hi-tech, but a bit outdated.

Like a yearly sports release, which I guess is what it is, F1 2018 feels like a refinement of last year’s title rather than an entirely new game. Career mode has some decent new additions, but I’m not sure they’re enough to make the game a worthwhile purchase for those who already own F1 2017. And changes to the handling and visuals are only really apparent under close scrutiny. So, while F1 2018 is undoubtedly a great game, only racing game fans who haven’t already played its predecessor are going to feel wholly satisfied with it. Meanwhile, avid players of F1 2017 would be wise to wait until...

Formula 1 is the most popular and highest class single-seater motorsport. A loyal fanbase revels in its glamour, gold, drama, and tragedy. The games aim to capture both invested fans and casual players with each edition. Ever since 1983’s Pole Position, these titles progressively advance with new technology and ideas to entice devoted consumers. For the last nine years, the reigns of the IP belong to a single studio. Has their experience with the sport and games finally lead to the perfect ...